Another one of the top remaining free agents is off the board, as the Carolina Hurricanes have swooped in and signed Ryan Dzingel. The former Columbus Blue Jackets forward will get just a two-year deal worth a total of $6.75MM. Hurricanes GM Don Waddell released a statement:
Ryan has proven that he can be an impact player offensively, putting up bigger numbers over each of his three full-time NHL seasons. His speed, skill and vision make him an excellent fit for our forward group and our style of play. At 27, he’s just entering his prime and certainly had options coming off a 26-goal season, so we’re happy he’s chosen to be a part of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Dzingel was the highest ranked forward left on our Top 50 UFA list, coming in at number 12. Like many others, we expected him to a get a much longer deal on the open market but it appears as though a poor playoff performance may have reduced his market considerably. Dzingel never fit in well with the Blue Jackets after a trade from the Ottawa Senators, and ended up watching from the press box for one of their playoff games.
Despite the lack of fit in Columbus, Dzingel still produced his best offensive season in 2018-19 by racking up 26 goals and 56 points. His second straight 20+ goal season in the books, it looked like he would still find a team desperate for offense that could offer him a long-term deal. Instead, he’ll go to Carolina for just two seasons at a more than reasonable $3.375MM cap hit and could be one of the biggest bargains of the offseason. Even after watching Micheal Ferland head west, the Hurricanes have now given their secondary scoring a boost with the additions of Dzingel and Erik Haula and could be a more dangerous team next season.
The 27-year old Dzingel has always been able to put the puck in the net. Though he was just a seventh-round pick in 2011, he quickly became a star at Ohio State University where he scored 22 goals and 46 points in his 37-game junior season. Upon joining the professional ranks with the Senators’ AHL team he continued to score, putting up 31 goals in 119 games before jumping to the NHL. Of Dzingel’s 66 career NHL goals just ten of them have come on the powerplay, meaning he should give the team a more balanced attack at even-strength and allow head coach Rod Brind’Amour to mix and match the lines however he chooses. Though he has played center in the past, Dzingel is exclusively a winger at the NHL level.
Doesn’t pay to wait in free agency it seems. Dzing and Ferland both got less than they were predicted
Yep but a lot of that probably has to do with injuries and the lower cap
not what he wanted but The 2 year term means Dzingel hits UFA again when cap is expected to jump.
Ferland’s 4 year was nuts and showed he likely lacked confidence in getting more in the future unless he just loves the west coast
This is a great signing for the Canes… Man, I was really thinking the Devils were gonna swoop in and swipe this guy off the market for a high AAV short-term deal. This caught me off-guard. Going right back into their division. The Metro is going to be interesting next season.
I’m really surprised Shero passed on Ferlund and Dzingel. Both seemed like solid fits for what they are trying to do in different ways.
So is canes second line dzingel, stall and haula. If so don’t think they are making playoffs next year
That’s a really good deal. I thought he was going to get one of the worst contracts this year but he’ll provide plenty of value on this one. Nice little addition for Carolina.
Yaaaaaaay!!!!!
I see Dzingel with Staal and Svechnikov on 2nd line, with Haula on left wing with Wallmark, and McGinn.
link to capfriendly.com
That could change if Williams re-signs or hangs up the skates on illustrious career.
Whether or not they make the playoffs, they should be another competitive team to play with a balance of young / prime / veteran talent. Could make playoff runs difficult for some other teams like the Devils, Rangers and Islanders and impact the end result. As has been mentioned a lot of this depends on what happens with Williams. I like the way their lines lay out obviously a lot better with him on the ice.
Have to say that I’m suprised that the Canes have shelled out as much money as they have so far this off-season. After moving de Hann and playing musical chairs with goaltenders, it looked like Dundon was be el cheapo again, but no so it appears. Good 2nd tier signing of Dzingel.
No. Doubt that Staal will be paired with those two. Likely lines:
Teravainen-Aho-Niederreiter/Svechnikov
Dzingel-Haula-Svechnikov/Niederreiter
Foegele-Staal-Williams
McGinn-Wallmark-Martinook
Also, Necas might break into the top 9.
Those are just projected line combinations from capfriendly that I posted their are several sites with line combinations thou all differ , most everyone on roster has capability to play multiple positions, Haula has played more on left wing in his time with Vegas, have to see on Necas playing on 3 rd pairing , Wallmark look good at center position, on 3rd pairing defensively , Necas has to show his skills thou in limited experience in league, but if Williams signs the lines will change , so who comes out in reserve roll, McGinn , Foegle, Martinook , and what prospect might surprise and break camp at the forward position. Or does Dundon make more moves by moving a defenseman for forward depth.
Haula has played more on left wing in his time with Vegas, have to see on Necas playing on 3 rd pairing , Wallmark look good at center position, on 3rd pairing defensively , Necas has to show his skills thou in limited experience in league, but if Williams signs the lines will change , so who comes out in reserve roll, McGinn , Foegle, Martinook , and what prospect might surprise and break camp at the forward position. Or does Dundon make more moves by moving a defenseman for forward depth.
Wow wouldn’t accept first post , so deleted it and it showed up , weird.
JD,
He’s an awful player not shocked you’d like this move considering he was a former senator. Will see how the Canes do this year!
Machinist
JD,
Step up!